Improvement in attaching axes to their handles



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

HENRY WOODING, OF WALLINGFORD, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND L. W. TURNER, OF GALESVILLE, CONNECTICUT.V

IMPROVEMENT IN ATTACHING AXES TO THEIR HANDLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 55,437, dated J une 5, 1866.

VTo all whom t may concern:

views Fig. 4, a central section and in Fig. 5

a central section as inserted into the handle.

My invention relates to an improvement in the manner of securing wedges into handles of axes and other similar instruments, so that the wedge may be removed without injury to the instrument. In securing handlesinto axes and similar instruments it is necessary to employ a wedge, which is usually of' metal,rmly driven into the end of the handle, and when, by breakage or otherwise, it is desired to remove the wedge it is t'ound necessary to burn the wood away, which is done with more 0r less injury to the instrument.

Another difculty in the use of wedges for this purpose arises when the wedge is driven into a handle not thoroughly seasoned, which, as the handle shrinks, loosens the wedge, so that it is often lost.

By my invention these two difficulties are overcome, and the wedge not only irmly se cured into the handle, however much the handle may shrink, and at the same time may be withdrawn, however tightly it maybe driven.

To enable others to construct and use my improved wedge, I will proceed to 'describe the same as illustrated in the accompanying` drawings.

A is the wedge. Through its center I form a hole to receive a screw, as seen in Fig. 4, through which, after driving the wedge into the handle, insert a screw, d, as seen in Fig. 5, which rmly secures vthe wedge into the handle, so that itthe handle shrinks the wedge will still dremain and may be tightened by the application or' a screw-driver or wrench, according to the nature of the'screw.

The two ends of the wedge I form as seen in Figs. l and 2, so as to leave a projection by which the wedge may be withdrawn, or, as in Fig. 3, form a projection upon the sides, or on both sides and ends, so as to make a head beneath which an instrument may be placed to withdraw the wedge.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claimfas new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The herein-described wedge, provided with a head, and constructed so as to be secured substantially in the manner specified.

HENRY G. NVOODING.

Witnesses:

JOHN E. EAELE, JOHN H. SHUMWAY. 

